Gallant AFL7s bow out of Championship
On Tuesday 11th May, Crokes AFL7 Junior B championship campaign continued with another away fixture this time a quarter final against Oliver Plunketts Eoghan/Ruadh in Phoenix Park. It took a massive effort for the Kilmacud lads to make the venue for the 7:15pm start but thankfully everyone arrived safely through the Dublin city traffic chaos!
Both sides lined out with strong teams and the opening pace of the game was immedietely at high tempo championship pace. Kilmacud started brightly with some excellent work by stalwart and shoulder specialist Jude O'Reilly earning a free. Crokes full forward Niall Butler pointed the resulting placed ball with great composure to get Kilmacud off to an early lead.The following few minutes saw some physical exchanges with Plunketts indiscipline resulting in two yellow cards earning Kilmacud a foothold on the game. Against the run of play, a turn over in the Plunketts half back line led to a break upfield from Plunketts and a neat one-two resulting in the impressive wing forward for Plunketts scoring a goal. This setback however seemed to up the workrate of the Kilmacud side who through the impressive free-taking of Liam Dockery(2) and another from the impressive Butler levelling the scoreline at 1-1 to 4 points. Plunketts responded strongly at this point and a lack of concentration in the Kilmacud defence resulted in the concession of two quick fire goals from the dangerous Plunkett's full forward along with two well taken points from the dangerous wing forward. Up until this point Kilmacud had defended well with another sterling display from Michael John Keane & the impressive Robert Kavanagh who had controlled the game well from Centre back. Crokes went in at half time 3-3 to 5 points down.
After some strong words at half time and calm words of encouragement from Pat Lamb & Mark Duncan, Kilmacud emerged for the second half a different team and immediately set about coming back into the game. Midfielders Eoghan Shanky-Smith and Conor Ward began to take over against a strong and physical Plunketts midfield.Playing uphill and with the rain and sleet now thundering down,it was a massive task for Kilmacud to overturn a 7 point deficit.Through some excellent work in the forwards and some tigerish defending from Barra O'Laidhin & Chris Lynch Kilmacud cut off all supply to the Plunketts forwards and wing forwards Niall Mulligan and Stephen Mooney did well in taking on their men and causing the Plunketts defence problems.
Unfortunately for Kilmacud,at this crucial stage of dominance, several further wides thwarted the comeback. After an excellent move from wing back,the ball fell to Stephen Mooney who turned and landed an excellent point to get Kilmacud off the mark. Moments later, indiscipline from the Plunketts goalkeeper resulted in a penalty for Kilmacud which Niall Butler cooly finished. A rare opportunity for Plunketts resulted in a point to leave four points in it with 15 minutes to go.From here on to the end of the game Kilmacud were completely on top, with another free from Liam Dockery and a point from Niall Butler taking the deficit to two points. Unfortunately for Kilmacud, turnover of the ball and time wasting and several more wides proved crucial in the dying minutes.Kilmacud ended the game with a 45 which was sent to the Plunketts goalmouth and the resulting "shemozzle" seeing Plunketts emerge with the ball and the final whistle followed immediately. Surprise and relief at the final whistle for Plunketts, surprise and disappointment for Kilmacud with no injury time at all being played being a talking point.Unfortunately, 9 wides in the second half along with 3 goals conceded in the first half proved the difference in winning and losing the game.
Dissapointment all round for the panel & management, however encouragement should be taken from the performance itself and the manner and character shown in outscoring the opposition in the second half by 5 points.Many thanks to the support who made the journey & again to Kevin Doheny whose training has been a massive boost to the team in recent weeks.
Team:
1:Stephen Russell,2:Michael-John Keane,3:Fiachra O'Shaughnessy,4:Brian Dillon,5:Chris Lynch,6:Rob Kavanagh,7:Barra O'Laidhin,8:Conor Ward,9:Eoghan Shanky-Smith,10:Niall Mulligan,11:Jude O'Reilly,12:Stephen Mooney,13:David Breslin,14:Niall Butler,15:Liam DockerySubs:Barrai Brennan for Breslin,Fergal O'Connell for Shanky Smith (blood sub),Sean Gallagher,Cillian Motherway,Donal Donovan,Conor Donnelly,Louis DockeryInjured: Michael McSweeney,Joe Walsh,Mark Duncan